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First let me say thank you for all of the help you have given me in the past. As you might remember I am a school teacher from South Texas and school is out next Friday. I am on my way to Cebu, Monday. I'll be staying at Eddies, unless someone really has a better idea or I find better one after I arrive. It's in my budget. I have heard many suggestions on taking money, ATM, credit cards and Travlers checks. I have several questions.
1. My ATM (school credit burreau) says Pulse, every thing I see seems to indicate Cirrus. What experiences do you have with this or ATMs in general?
2. Has anyone taken Travelers checks, or cash, and opened a Local bank account w/ATM card?
3. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks again, capt david

... in response to Money!!!!!, posted by capt david on May 23, 2002

1) Took 1500 in cash, 100 dollar bills

2)Exchange 100 dollars at a time, with official money changer store, never with street changer.

3)Keep the cash, Passport, credit cards, drivers license
in hotel safe deposit, box, while keeping 100 dollars converted to pesos on me.

4)Before you go setup a yahoo or hotmail account. Email to yourself a list of phone numbers of your bank, credit card companies, passport number, telephone number to your travel agent or airlines, and and any other important information you can think of, That way if you lose your wallet or credit
cards etc you can go to an internet cafe and have all that information easily accessible. Also list the addresses of relatives you would like to mail a postcard to, luckily this came in very handy for me.

5)Make 2 copies of your passport, keep one in your wallet,
and leave one at home, and put your original passport in
the hotel safe.

6)If you want to get a money belt to carry your cash with you, feel free but i did  not feel comfortable leaving it in my hotel room, (my cash,) so i always left the bulk of it
minus my pocket money in the hotel safe. To me a money belt seems a bit of a pain, and i cant see myself reaching into
it in the mall, all the time, so why lug around all your spare cash, to me its safer in the safe deposit box.

HAVE FUN, I WILL BE THERE IN JUNE AGAIN FOR A MONTH

... in response to Heres the way i did on my most recent tr..., posted by outwest77 on May 24, 2002

Outwest, If your interested in getting together give me a shout. capt david

... in response to Money!!!!!, posted by capt david on May 23, 2002

Used cash exclusively on my trips. Just avoided any moneychangers that approached me with "good" rates. Always count your pesos in front of clerk before walking out. Credit cards are good back up but keep in mind that nearly all purchases from hotel room to malls tack on a card service charge of about 5% of purchase.

... in response to Money!!!!!, posted by capt david on May 23, 2002

I have to say that I've been to 18 countries and the ATM card has been a life saver...plus gives you the best exchange rate.  Unfortunately, Cebu is the one place that none of my ATM cards worked.  The options on those machines did not match the options here (i.e. withdrawal from checking or savings account).  Fortunately, I had traveler's cheques as a back up.  I paid all my hotel bills and minor purchases with a credit card to keep from using my cash. (Plus, credit cards usually give a good exchange rate when your bill comes in).  I had absolutely no problem with anyone trying to rob me but I understand that you may want to be careful of pick-pocketers in touristy areas, especially where people are begging.  Good luck and enjoy!

... in response to Re: Money!!!!!, posted by dennis1964 on May 24, 2002

I like the idea of having some "back up".

I took cash with me in April.  But I was glad to have my visa debit card with me at the end of the trip.

YES......HAVE A BACK UP PLAN ALSO.

Stephen

... in response to Money!!!!!, posted by capt david on May 23, 2002

Call me ol' fashioned, Cap'n....

But I always just took cash.  (Green looks mighty good with any color you wear).

I never had any trouble or concern about being robbed.  I felt safe.

by the way....I would go to a lugage store and buy a money pouch to be certain the money was safe.  I bought one that attached to my belt with a loop and then you carried it inside your pants.  It was just a little bigger than the bills of money.

Also....I did not get one that hung around my neck because I thought that would be very hot.

Just my thought.

Have a GREAT time.

Stephen

... in response to Money!!!!!, posted by capt david on May 23, 2002

In crisp Bills. 6-$20's, 2-10's, 2-5's, 5-1's...Rest in 100 dollar bills. Hide in waist and calf money belts. Have a few pesos in your wallet incase of robbery. Make copies of your Passports and other important documents. Keep your orginal passport, etc hidden in safe place or locked in Hotel safe. Take the copies with You when traveling in RP. Take two ATM debit cards for Emergency use only. I stayed a total of over 4 and half months using only cash, no problem(American dollars goes a looooong way)..Use common sense and guidiance from your Mahal..Philippines is more safe than places like New York, etc...Remember to drink only bottled water, even brush your teeth with it, no drinks with ice, be careful what you eat, avoid eating and drinking from carts on streets..Be sure to take and study a good updated Philippine travel book. greg

... in response to Money!!!!!, posted by capt david on May 23, 2002

David,

I take $1000 cash in new $100 dollar bills (Use a money belt) Change them in Manila for the best rate.I like the money changers in Ermita most of them are honest. Star, plus, and cirrus seem to be in almost eveywhere. You will be charged about $4 for each transaction (even to check your balance) on your ATM card so get as much $$ as you can Usually P5000 is the limit (in the Mall p2500) Don't take travelers checks as there a pain to cash and you get a poor rate.   Humabdos

... in response to Re: Money!!!!!, posted by Humabdos on May 23, 2002

I'm with you Hum: cash, large bills, ATM for backup and a credit card for big things in the city to get the frequent flyer miles.

Only thing is, if you go diving, where do you put the cash?  A safe at the front desk is best, otherwise you can take it down with you.  The room or the boat is not a good idea because that amount could be a year's pay or more to many of the locals.  Many would gladly ditch the job for the bonus.

Jim

... in response to Re: Green!!!!!, posted by Jimbo on May 24, 2002

Safety deposit box, dive shop, My body guard (Sallie)

Yes not a good idea to give a boatman P50,000! might be a long swim back!  Zip locks work too.

Humabdos

... in response to Kuwarta, posted by Humabdos on May 24, 2002

I got a bodyguard too but if she's got cash I don't like to have it all in one place; I rather split it up.  Last time I ended up with wet 100s but they're still green - next time Ziplock!

Jim

... in response to Re: Kuwarta, posted by Jimbo on May 24, 2002

..now that I've told the www where I put my money I wonder if I'll get mugged on the next night dive.  Guess I'll have to pull a Mike Nelson and cut the guy's air hose, preferably at 35 meters...

Jim

... in response to Doh !, posted by Jimbo on May 24, 2002

Hey Jim,

Better not dive with me...I'll empty those BC pockets, fill them with sand, and make my great escape. I'd appreciate it if you'd use the Ziploc bags...I don't like soggy money. ;o)) Well you must know where I keep my stash (all except the "family jewels")...BC pockets, it's hard to hide much in a G-string. ;oD

Dave H.

... in response to Doh !, posted by Jimbo on May 24, 2002

will you be going on your next trip jimbo? ;-)) Hum

... in response to Re: Green!!!!!, posted by Jimbo on May 24, 2002

I took mine in a ziplock... I don't trust the people at the hotel enough to leave my cash in my room. Every hotel you stay in has the same first 'rule'... "not responsible for items lost or stolen"

... in response to Ziplock bag, posted by Kreeger on May 24, 2002

Right Kreeger,

Not in the room.  I did try the safe at the front desk once but didn't feel good about it.  Once in Malate I left for Mindanao and read in the paper that an 'inside job' theft of P75,000 occurred on the day after I left the hotel.  It was a room theft.

I only use the safe box in the room for overnight because I think they could get the money even without the combination - those boxes sometimes have only a couple of 1/4 20 studs holding them down.

Jim

... in response to Re: Ziplock bag, posted by Jimbo on May 24, 2002

I always use travelers checks and cash.. Keep them in a pair of dirty socks thrown in the corner of the room. That's if I'm in the boonies. If in Manila I just use the Hotel safety deposit box. Works for me. : )

Jay

... in response to Re: Re: Ziplock bag, posted by Jay on May 26, 2002

I can't belive and old travel pro like you would use travelers checks Jay! The exchange rater is poor and they are not easy to cash in the philippines!  Dirty sock idea good but dirty underwear works even better. When I returned from PI last time I made sure all my dirty socks and underwear where on top of one my bags, When they inspected it at the airport the lady took one look inside she couldn't get it zipped up fast enough LOL!  Humabdos

... in response to Travelers checks?, posted by Humabdos on May 26, 2002

Hi Hum,

Every old pro KNOWS you use travelers checks for most of the money brought on a trip. I don't sweat a few peso's on the exchange rate. True, the exchange rate is not as good, but at least you can get your money back if lost. Have you ever tried to cash a bill smaller than a $100? Damm near immpossible outside Manila. If I go to the province, I just cash what I think I will need before I go. I never wear a money belt either since every Filipino thief I ever met said they know thats the place foriegners carry thier money. If I had large amount of cash, I just taped it up under my nutz. A little hard to remove the tape, but very safe. ;)

Last time I was in the Philippines, I didn't have any credit cards. Now I do, but I will only use them in emergencies. I don't want to pay interest on my trip.

That's a good one about the dirty sox and draws in the bag. I must try it.

Jay

... in response to Re: Travelers checks?, posted by Jay on May 26, 2002

Maybe sence you are not drinking anymore you won't be lousing your money ;-) I never worry that much about being robbed.(not that it couldn't happen) Being 6'4 220 helps as does the crazy Charley Manson look in my eyes!

Humabdos

... in response to Re: Re: Travelers checks?, posted by Humabdos on May 26, 2002

The good old Charlie Manson look does wonders doesn't it? Far better than the John Wayne swagger. Nothing like getting that "Uh oh. You don't suppose he's really deranged do you" look in response.

- Jeff S.

... in response to Travelers checks?, posted by Humabdos on May 26, 2002

Hey Hum,

A dirty purple G-string works the best...but it doesn't hold much money...have to use large bills. LOL

Dave H.

... in response to Green and Purple..., posted by Dave H on May 26, 2002

The colors of Mr. Methane's uniform (ha-ha!)

- Kevin

... in response to Green and Purple..., posted by Dave H on May 26, 2002

Skid marks on the OUTSIDE!

-- Jeff S.